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St. Croix bridge cost estimate lowered by $14M

Minnesota transportation officials have lowered the cost estimate for the St. Croix River Crossing Project.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation originally estimated the cost of a new St. Croix bridge at up to $690 million. Now, officials say the project could cost up to $676 million.

The House last week passed legislation exempting the project from the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. That move was the last Congressional hurdle to authorizing the proposed bridge.

MnDOT officials say they expect to begin load testing the soil near the planned bridge this summer. They say that could lead to even more savings on the project. Testing could last several months.

The St. Croix Bridge bill still needs to be signed by President Barack Obama before work can proceed. Gov. Mark Dayton and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have sent a letter asking the president to quickly sign the legislation into law.